Chapter 9 Summary

At breakfast the next morning, Conway's three traveling companions bombard him with questions about his meeting with the High Lama. Predictably, Mallinson wants to know when they can leave, and Brinklow wants to know if they can get a missionary stationed here. Conway sidesteps all these issues. He says only that the High Lama is old, intelligent and speaks perfect English.

Mallinson gets angry. Conway was a hero in Baskul; why can't he be heroic now? What about the little Chinese girl? How did she get here? Conway does not answer. Miss Brinklow says there are no morals here. Conway becomes aware that he has to lead two lives. With his friends, he must act as if he wants to leave and return to India. Alone, he is content and enjoying the tranquility and expanse of time in Shangri-La.

Chang tells Conway that...